How and when should I get started with See and Learn?

See and Learn is a range of evidence-based resources designed to help promote early development for children with
Down syndrome. There are four programs under development - speech, language and reading, numbers and memory. Children start each
program at different ages. The programs are designed to be used alongside each other.

See and Learn is a range of evidence-based resources designed to help promote early development for children with Down syndrome,
starting with the earliest pre-verbal speech skills. Children will typically start each program as and when they reach an
appropriate stage of development. All of the programs are designed to eventually be used alongside each other.

When to start

Each See and Learn program targets an area of development from its earliest foundations. The ages at which children with Down
syndrome begin to develop skills in each area vary quite widely, but we can provide some approximate estimates - as shown below.

Programme

When to start

Approximate earliest age

See and Learn Speech

When a child is showing interest in noises or voices

From around 6 months

See and Learn Language and Reading

When a child shows an understanding of objects and what they do, and may be attempting to communicate by babbling or using
simple gestures

From around 18 months

See and Learn Number

When a child understands and can say (or sign) at least 100 words

From around 3 or 4 years

See and Learn Memory

(under development)

Starting See and Learn with older children

You can start an older child on a See and Learn program where this is developmentally appropriate. For example, a 4 year old child who
already understands over 100 words could start the See and Learn Language and Reading program without working through the first
vocabulary steps, but rather starting with See and Learn Phrases 1.

We provide guidance about the suitability of each step on the See and Learn web site,
including full lists of the vocabulary, phrases and speech sounds taught - and what a child needs to know in order to start each step.

Working through the See and Learn programs

Each program is divided into a series of steps. (Each step if offered as a printed kit or as an app.) Generally, the programs are
designed so that children complete each step before moving to the next, although sometimes children may be working on more that one
step at a time within a program. We provide guidance about when to move from one step to the next within each program.

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Down Syndrome Education Organisations

DSE works to improve education and early intervention for children with Down syndrome.
Our research and evidence-based services and resources are helping thousands of young people with Down syndrome to achieve more than ever before.

With your support, we can accelerate research, develop new services and resources, and provide support and advice to more families and professionals everywhere.